NFL Notes: Seahawks sticking with their Bennett

Michael Bennett is not coming to Chicago to join his brother, Martellus, on the Bears.

The Seahawks signed the defensive lineman to a new four-year contract on Monday.

“I don’t know if there was any doubt, but there was a lot of speculation a lot of teams tried to get me to come there,” Michael Bennett said Monday after signing his new deal with Seattle. “But ultimately I wanted to come back and play with these guys and win some more games.”

Bennett was considered one of the top free agents in the NFL after a breakout season with the Seahawks where he led the team in sacks and proved a versatile option as a defensive end and defensive tackle. But he never made it all the way to the start of free agency Tuesday after the Seahawks came up with a satisfactory deal.

Terms were not announced by the team. Pro Football Talk reported Bennett’s deal was worth about $28.5 million with $16 guaranteed.

TONE DEAF: The Jets parted ways with wide receiver Santonio Holmes, cutting the talented but injury-plagued playmaker after four seasons.

The move saves the Jets $8.25 million, which Holmes was due to make as his base salary this season. He was also scheduled to have a $10.75 million cap number, a lofty total for a one-time Super Bowl MVP who has struggled with injuries and inconsistency the last two seasons.

The Jets, who also released cornerback Antonio Cromartie on Sunday, could also save another $8.3 million if they cut quarterback Mark Sanchez.

WOODSHED: The Steelers will reportedly part ways with former Pro Bowl linebacker LaMarr Woodley, a move that hardly serves as a surprise after fifth-year linebacker Jason Worilds agreed to accept a “transition player” tag last week.

The 29-year-old Woodley will likely be designated a post-June 1 salary cap cut, but is free to sign with another team when the new league year begins Tuesday afternoon.

By postponing the move until after June 1, the Steelers would free up about $8 million in salary cap space in 2014. He will count $8.5 million against the team’s cap number in 2015.

EXTRA POINTS: Controlling interest of the Lions will go to the late owner’s wife Martha Ford. William Clay Ford died Sunday at the age of 88. He was the last surviving grandchild of automotive pioneer Henry Ford. William Clay Ford Jr. remains in his role as vice chairman of the Lions. ... The Cowboys signed punter Chris Jones to an exclusive rights tender after he finished with a net average of 39 yards in his first full season in 2013. ... Dolphins owner Stephen Ross has decided to pay the entire tab for up to $400 million in renovations to the team’s stadium after he’s been stymied in his efforts to secure public money. He wants property tax relief, though.